Delhi Launches Drone Surveillance to Combat Winter Pollution

Delhi's environment department will deploy drones at 13 major pollution hotspots as part of the 2024 Winter Action Plan. The initiative aims to provide real-time data on pollution sources, enabling swift intervention. The tender process for acquiring drones is expected to conclude soon. The plan also includes anti-dust campaigns and water sprinkling strategies.

In a landmark initiative for the national capital, Delhi's environment department will deploy drones across 13 major pollution hotspots to monitor air quality. This step forms part of the newly unveiled 2024 Winter Action Plan, officials announced on Wednesday.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai introduced the comprehensive plan, which features 21 key action points including the drone project. The drones aim to provide real-time data on pollution sources, enabling precise and swift intervention measures.

The department is in the final stages of releasing a tender for the drones, expected to be completed next week. Once finalized, the drones will be assigned to the identified hotspots based on their specific needs.

This drone initiative is just one aspect of the broader Winter Action Plan that also includes anti-dust campaigns, increased road cleaning, water sprinkling, and strategies to curb stubble burning. Minister Rai emphasized the critical role that drones will play in tackling the city's air quality crisis, a marked improvement over last year's manual monitoring methods.

"The drones will identify sources of pollution such as construction dust and vehicular emissions. Actions will be taken based on this real-time data," Rai explained.

(With inputs from agencies.)